Human Heart is made of 4 chambers the upper ones called as the Atria and the lower ones are called as the Ventricles. The heart beats when the blood gushes in and out of these chambers via the arteries and the veins making a peculiar sound. Blood Pressure in the simplest of terms if the pressure exerted on the walls of blood vessels by blood. Usually many people are worried that they have high blood pressure but before understanding what high blood pressure is, let’s understand what normal blood pressure is.
According to American Heart Association (AHA) normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. (mercury has been used as a standard to measure blood pressure). The upper limit is the Systolic Blood Pressure and the lower limit is the Diastolic Blood Pressure.
What is systolic Blood Pressure ?
When the heart beats and blood rushes out of the heart to the rest of the body, a whooshing sound is heard and this is the Systolic Blood Pressure. When one is recording the blood pressure, the first sound heart after inflating the cuff and releasing the pressure slowly, marks the Systolic Blood Pressure. A normal Systolic Pressure is usually below 120 mm Hg.
What is diastolic blood pressure ?
When the heart chambers are filling with blood and are getting oxygenated, the pressure is the Diastolic Blood Pressure or the lower limit of blood pressure. While recording the Blood Pressure, the point where the sound heard at the time of recording Systolic Blood Pressure completely fades away, that is the Diastolic Blood Pressure. A normal Diastolic pressure is usually below 80 mm Hg.
What are the type of blood pressure ranges according to AHA ?
The Blood Pressure ranges according to AHA are as follows.
- Normal Blood Pressure: 120/80 mm Hg
- Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89 mm Hg
- Hypertension Stage 1: 140-159/90-99 mm Hg
- Hypertension Stage 2: 160/100 mm Hg
- Hypertensive crisis: 180/110 mm Hg
You can ask your treating doctor or your cardiologist to explain to you the details about the various types of blood pressure.
How is blood pressure monitored ?
Blood Pressure can be monitored in a Healthcare facility or at home (advised only if you know the correct way to measure Blood Pressure). The equipment has a manual or a digital manometer to measure the pressure which is attached to a cuff which is usually put slightly above the elbow region so that a stethoscope can be placed at the cubital fossa to measure the pulse. You will be asked to sit upright with your legs raised up and in a comfortable position, sometimes Blood Pressure is also recorded in lying down position. Then the cuff is tied at the desired location and the stethoscope is used to locate your pulse in the cubital fossa. Once the pulse is located, the pressure is inflated till slightly above the normal systolic blood pressure and on deflation, the first sound heard in the stethoscope is marked as the Systolic Blood Pressure and the point at which this sound fades is recorded as the Diastolic Blood Pressure. It is always advised that one should learn the basics of Blood Pressure Monitoring from a medical practitioner to avoid errors and if any abnormal readings are detected one should contact the treating doctor or physician. Nowadays Digital Blood Pressure monitors are also available in the market for the ease of patients.
Who is at a risk of getting high blood pressure or Hypertension ?
The below mentioned Individuals are at an increased risk of High Blood Pressure who have/are:
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Increased Salt intake
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking Habit
- Alcoholic Habits
- Lack of sleep
Certain medical conditions can also increase Blood Pressure.
- Diabetes
- Kidney diseases
- Kidney Infections
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (difficulty in breathing while sleeping)
- Scleroderma
- Lupus
- Hormonal Disorders
Certain medications can also cause elevated blood pressure, you can ask your treating doctor about the same in detail.
Can high blood pressure be treated ?
High Blood Pressure cannot be cured but can be monitored and controlled with medication and lifestyle changes.
How can one keep one’s blood pressure under control ?
Lifestyle changes play a major role in controlling Blood Pressure. A healthy diet, cut down on salt and sugar intake, cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption habits and regular physical activity play a major role in monitoring Blood Pressure. When diagnosed or over the age of 40 years one should mandatorily and routinely check one’s Blood Pressure.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
